Senegalese authorities are racing to prevent a potential oil spill after water entered the engine room of the Panamanian-flagged oil tanker Mersin near Dakar’s coast.
The vessel, owned by Turkey’s Mersin Shipping Inc and managed by Besiktas Shipping, issued a distress signal overnight from November 27 to 28, prompting the deployment of tugboats and specialized teams from Senegal’s navy and maritime authority.
All crew members were safely rescued with no reported injuries. Authorities are working to stabilize the vessel, prevent hydrocarbon leaks, and mitigate environmental risks.
Immediate measures include stopping the leak, transferring the fuel cargo, and deploying an anti-pollution boom around the tanker as a precautionary step.
